The larval description of Glyptoma denieri (Bernhauer) from Brazil provides clarification on new status of the subtribe Glyptomina (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Osoriinae)

Glyptoma Erichson (Staphylinidae: Osoriinae) is a genus of rove beetles including 22 species restricted to the Neotropical region, with 13 species recorded from Brazil. The subtribe Glyptomina of Thoracophorini includes, besides Glyptoma, eight other genera. Up to now, the larvae of this subtribe have not been formally described, despite many of them exhibiting subcortical habits and cohabitation of adults and larvae.

Here, we provide a redescription of the adult and description of the larva of Glyptoma denieri (Bernhauer), the first larval description for the subtribe. Our examination of the diagnostic structures of male and female adults as well as larvae, in comparison to these structures in other species belonging to different genera within the subtribe, and members of other subtribes of Thoracophorini, compels us to review the status of the subtribe Glyptomina.

Based on this new evidence, we propose that this group be elevated to tribal status as Glyptomini stat. nov., and distinguish this group from Thoracophorini sens. nov., with revised diagnoses of adults and larvae of both tribes and indication of taxa included for each.